The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF), AT&T, Infosys Foundation USA and The Walt Disney Company hosted a Latinos on Fast Track (LOFT) Coder Summit in DTLA this past weekend. The Summit is part of HHF’s broader Code as a Second Language (CSL) initiative. 

Speakers at the summit included Ana-Sheila Victorino, Product Manager at Symantec, Esteban Uribe, IOS Engineer at Tinder, Adriana Martinez, Director of External Affairs- Statewide Relations at AT&T. Other speakers include Barney Santos, Head of the Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at Cal State LA and Gregorio Rojas, Co-Founder of Sabio.

“AT&T is committed to investing in future generations and supporting a diverse workforce,” said Adriana Martinez, Director – External Affairs, AT&T California. “The LOFT Coder Summits is a great resource for Latino start-ups and we are proud to support HHF in working toward equipping and preparing the next generation of tech entrepreneurs.”

Throughout the day, speakers gave those in attendance insight on their personal journeys and held presentations. Workshops included Exploring Product Management and Think Like an Innovator & Act Like an Entrepreneur.

“We are at the intersection of a nation in need of tech workers and talent-rich Latino community and we want to shatter stereotypes and redefine the landscape of computer technology while building a stronger community of innovators,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF.

By mobilizing Latino/a coders, programmers, hackers and computer scientists for this Summit, Latino leaders, HHF and sponsors are spearheading national change. The Summit mobilizes our network of Latino software engineers ready to introduce computer programming to under-represented students across the country.

“I loved the support and good energy the participants brought to our LOFT Coder Summit in DTLA,” said Francia Maciel, LOFT Coder Summit lead.

Thank you to AT&T, Infosys Foundation USA and The Walt Disney Company for your leadership and commitment to our community, and Indie Desk for hosting our LOFT Coder Summit! If you missed out on the Summit, check out the photos here and use the hashtag #LOFTCoders to get the full recap.